About Jasper Fforde
(Aggregated from the Amazon description and Wiki)
Jasper Fforde (born 11 January 1961) is an English novelist, whose first novel, The Eyre Affair, was published in 2001. He is known mainly for his Thursday Next novels, but has published two books in the loosely connected Nursery Crime series and the first books of two other independent series: The Last Dragonslayer and Shades of Grey. Fforde's books abound in literary allusions and wordplay, tightly scripted plots and playfulness with the conventional, traditional genres. They usually contain elements of metafiction, parody, and fantasy.
Fforde was born in London on 11 January 1961, the son of John Standish Fforde, the 24th Chief Cashier for the Bank of England. He is a grandson of the Polish political activist, Joseph Retinger, and a great-grandson of the journalist E. D. Morel.
Originating with the Fforde Ffestival in September 2005, the Fforde Ffiesta is an annual event built around Fforde's books and held in Thursday Next's home town of Swindon over the May bank holiday weekend. People travel from afar to take part in a wide range of events, including a reenactment of the gameshow Name That Fruit, Hamlet Speed Reading competitions, and interactive performances of Richard III. (Note from @RichardAbbott - this appears to still be happening after a covid break and you can already book for 4th and 5th May 2024).
After giving up a varied career in the film world, he now lives and writes in Wales, and has a passion for aviation.